PA, Philadelphia to Resume Construction Activities May 1, With Safeguards

April 29, 2020 – AlertsBy Ronald L. Williams

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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced April 22, in an agreement with the Legislature, that public and private residential and non-residential construction may resume May 1 in accordance with safety guidance that will be forthcoming from his administration. The announcement moved the start date up a week from a May 8 resumption the governor announced on April 20.

Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney issued his own announcement April 28, allowing all construction to resume in the city on May 1 as well.

“Construction managers and workers will have to consistently follow practices that keep their workers and the community safe," Kenney said. "I’m confident that this will prove to be a much-needed boost to economic activity in the city. And I’m equally confident that everyone involved will be vigilant about adhering to these safe procedures and protocols as this work resumes.”

Additionally, existing life-sustaining construction in Pennsylvania will continue so long as social distancing and other appropriate safeguards are being followed.

Wolf's announcement came on the heels of the governor's April 17 announcement of his overall plan for restarting the state's economy that focused on reopening by sector and region.

This relief will occur before the timetable first laid out April 17 and detailed on April 22 by the governor for the balance of the economy. Since new OSHA guidelines for construction came out this week, you should be examining all measures necessary to be prepared to resume construction May 1, 2020.

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Governor Wolf emphasized that project participants will have to have adequate personal protective equipment. Second, project participants will need to be able to demonstrate compliance with CDC guidance as well as OSHA guidance. During the course of the last several weeks, the Governor’s office has provided waivers for projects that demonstrate best practices.